Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20
AN OLD WAR EEUD.
| The Burning OF Ancient HOpevvell
church and the Story Back Of IL.

Pttsburg Special to the Phila Press, August II.
The burning OF the old Hopewell Presbyterian
church, near BurgettstOwn, brings to light a
religious feud which has lasted half a century.
Some incendiary is supposed to have applied the
torch to the ancient edifice which had been desc
Grated on previous occasions. Once 1T was forc1bly
entered by some one who took the Bible from the
pulpit and, tearing 1t to fragments scattered them
ABOUT In all directions On another occasion nearly
all the windows were broken by stones
One OF the Oldest elders OF the church tells the
story OF the 1eud. The original structure Was
erected In 119S and 1t was the first Presbyterian
church built in this allegheny county, which
was then bowling Wilderness. 1t was made Of
thlrty-sX years later was replaced by a brick
structure. Six years later the building ruined
py {. violent wind Storm. A frame church OF
greater dimensions Was then built. InterIacine
STRIFE had existed for twenty years and there we're
frequent changes OF pastors. In 1859 Rev. Win.
Hunter took charge. He was a bright young
scholar from the East, and it was during his pas
toratc that the congregation split On political DIFF
ferences. The rebellion had ju.J broken out, and
lie emphasized his beliefs by making
stump speeches in the neishborhOod, which
sr. atiy fingered the majority. When the news
came that President Lincoln had been asSassi-
mated ii was aEnOunceG tnat memorial services
woii.d be held lii the Iiopeweil Church. On the
Sun1ly following the interior was heavily draped
III lHouriI!iE, aiu IT WIS expected that following
Tie '.,l!ioii udurcsse, would be made by several
prominent ilelnbcrs. Whcl. Sunday morning came
aotoG leu ny ti.t announcement that ther pastor
had ataoiIteis lt!IoId 70 have I'm; thing with
the proceedings. ile PrecDy.er was appealed to
and Hunter Was dismissed. The latter mad many
friends auions III, Oh flock, however, and they
went With him.
Then began a bitter contest for the church
property. one sunday 4 iItisDurtc minister and
Hunter literally lOu hJ ttf tie possession OF the
la!flt. The Ilttsburs i:li.;SL,r Vas nnaily al
lowed 10 preach, Dut IL almost rcoitcd i'll riot
between Tie TWO factions, a:.d many pistols and
hAlNea We're brandloicd. WHcn the I1tloburg
clergyman had iInlaiic! the LcpOseti pastor FOL
lowed with II short Sermon, ana ,he excitement
for several days aiterWIru Was Intense. The next
SUNDAY the doors OF the church, which We're found
TO have been secured bj members the strongest
faction, We're trUkcn down, ~ crowd OF Hunters
supporters, and he cached Willie armed guards
stood 1T the doorWayo. Numerous lawsuits fol-
luWeu the bitter Ieeii- Increased and even Ialni-
lbs were divided. Services in the church were
SHINY attended, so tcrTo!iZcJ Were the people,
White III" littaDulE minister Who dared TO I'LL the
pulpit, gained Il local reputation Ior courageous
les.
flnally VIM. InaW, the PttSburg millionaire,
secured the expulsion or Hunter ana his followers
from the new school OF Prcsbytery, and they, ten
Years ago, built Hebron church Il plot Of ground
Immediately adjoining Hopewell church. 4 little
cemetery, separated from The HOpewell graveyard
Dy Il Fence only, was laid out and the first person
lhterred therein was Rev. Hunter himself. lie
ulcu suddenly OF pneumonia. No pastor succeeded
MN ulitli TWO years ago, When his followers We're
forgiven by the Pfesbytery and taken back. The
oII .feu Is said To still ranke in the breasts OF
botn factions, ana To this IS attributed the burning
OF lIe iUpeWtll church, and ii is feared that The
hebron church Will suffer the same late.